Hybrid access system having channel allocation and prioritized polling schemes

ABSTRACT

An asymmetric network communication system for use in a client-server environment having independent forward and return channels operating at different speeds and/or under different protocols on the same or different communication media to provide efficient utilization of shared resources. A network manager, such as a hybrid access system, effects transmission of packetized data on a forward (downstream) channel from the host server to multiple client devices coupled with a shared downstream media at 10 or more megabits per second while simultaneously providing selectable multiple lower speeds of operation on shared or dedicated return (upstream) channels from the client devices to the host server depending on bandwidth availability, bandwidth demand, service level authorization, etc. for the return channel. Forward and return channels may be located on the same or different communication medium including a CATV network, direct broadcast satellite network, television or radio RF broadcast network, wireless or mobile cellular facilities or the like. The return channel may reside on a PSTN either directly coupled with the host server or connected with the network manager for subsequent transmission to the host server. The network manager handles or controls the forward and return communication to establish interactive full-duplex real-time network sessions between the host and plural client devices. The network manager effects upstream channel allocation in response to channel allocation requests and prioritizes polling wherein the polling cycles or periods differ among respective groups of client devices, depending on their state of operation.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/426,920 filed on Apr.21, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,121.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for extending a high-speednetwork to remote locations using an asymmetric hybrid access system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current data communication systems typically use symmetric communicationpaths between transmit and receive sites, which have substantially thesame data rates and use the same media in both directions. Such mediamay include coaxial, fiber optic, or telephone twisted-pair lines. Somenetworks alternatively use broadcast only paths. However, no currentnetwork combines the flexibility of full-duplex symmetric networks withthe cost effectiveness of broadcast only networks.

Prior attempts at achieving asymmetric data communications includedmodems with very low speed return channels or systems combining a lowspeed broadcast channel with telephone return lines. However, no priorsystems were able to extend a symmetric high-speed backbone network toremote locations at high speeds using an asymmetric hybrid accesssystem. Known prior asymmetric systems are limited to low speed links.

It is desirable to develop a network which combines the flexibility of afull-duplex network with the effectiveness of a broadcast network at areasonable cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a high speed backbone network isextended for communications with remote locations with a hybridasymmetric architecture having fully interactive duplex characteristicsand including independent upstream and downstream communication pathsoperable at separately selectable speeds and protocols. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, the hybrid asymmetric architectureincludes 6 Megahertz television channels downstream and telephone linesfor upstream communications. Alternative downstream communications canbe accomplished according to the invention with a selected highbandwidth broadband service, including for example high definitiontelevision (HDTV). Downstream communications according to anotherembodiment can be implemented with a selected low cost, high speedbroadband modem. Downstream communications can provide access to datafrom information sources including companies, government agencies,universities, libraries, and the like. Alternative upstreamcommunications can be accomplished by a narrow band cable TV returnchannel, ISDN, radio, or a selected low-cost, low to medium speedtelephone modem. The asymmetric hybrid system according to the presentinvention includes an interface with the backbone network connected toselected information sources. The interface includes point of presence(POP) circuits implementing high speed downstream communications withlower speed upstream communications. The interface connects the backbonenetwork with cable TV head ends, TV transmitters, cell sites, remoteusers, and upstream and downstream channels.

The present invention further includes a hybrid access configurationwhich uses both downstream and upstream channels. The present inventionfurther includes a hybrid access configuration which uses downstreamwireless TV channels and upstream public switch telephone network(PSTN), wireless RF communications or integrated services digitalnetwork (ISDN) telephone lines. The present invention further includes ahybrid access configuration which uses both downstream and upstreamcable TV channels. The present invention further includes a hybridaccess configuration which has downstream satellite TV channels andupstream public switch telephone network (PSTN), wireless RFcommunications, or integrated services digital network (ISDN) telephonelines.

The present invention further includes packet and acknowledgesuppression methods to eliminate redundant packet, byte, and acknowledgetransmissions in a hybrid access system. A packet is defined as aninformation unit containing one or more bytes of information.Particularly according to the method of the present invention, a certainamount or number of data packets or bytes are enqueued or transmitted ina transmit-ahead window. Transmission of a window of bytes or packets isfollowed by a predetermined time-out period while the transmit queueawaits acknowledgments of packets received. To the extent receiptacknowledgments are received as to particular bytes or packets, thesepackets and bytes in the transmit queue will be deleted from thetransmit queue, and the transmit queue is open to receipt of furtherpackets or bytes for emplacement in slots of the transmission queue forthe deletions made. With respect to acknowledgments placed in atransmission queue, indications acknowledging receipt of later bytes andpackets supersede acknowledgments of earlier transmitted bytes orpackets. Accordingly, under the present invention, the earlieracknowledgments are deleted from an acknowledge transmission queue.

The present invention further includes an automatic address allocationand configuration method in transmissions employing a hybrid accesssystem. According to the present invention, remote users are identifiedinitially with an abstract name, e.g., "Bob," and this abstract name isregistered by the network management system. Configuration isestablished by the downstream routers polling the remote users andregistering the location of the remote user responding to the poll madewith the particular abstract name. Internet Protocol address andupstream channel allocation is accordingly accomplished subject to theconfiguration made including abstract name and identified location.

The present invention further includes a prioritized polling method intransmissions employing a hybrid access system. According to a method ofthe present invention, hybrid upstream routers poll client devices suchas remote link adapters (i.e., "RLAs") according to predeterminedpriority levels. According to one embodiment of the present invention,priority levels are established for state categories of RLAs. Accordingto one embodiment of the present invention, priority level statesinclude status states such as idle, non-responsive, requestingchannel(s), active, or active-credit. According to one embodiment of thepresent invention, RLAs which request a channel are prioritizedaccording to the amount of time its channel requests have goneunfulfilled. According to one embodiment of the present invention hybridupstream routers poll downstream RLAs which are idle more frequentlythan non-responsive RLAs.

The present invention further includes an automatic gain adjustmenttechnique in transmissions employing a hybrid access system, accordingto which a remote link adapter sends successive indications to a hybridupstream router at selected different power levels. When a power levelindication is received by a hybrid upstream router, the receiving hybridupstream router confirms receipt of such indication to the sendingremote link adapter which then registers an associated power level asqualified. According to one embodiment of the present invention, theselected different power levels are dynamically adjusted in magnitude oftransmission level.

The present invention further includes a quality-based upstream channelallocation technique in transmissions employing a hybrid access system.According to the technique, the hybrid upstream router first determinesthe availability of upstream cable channels by a frequency agile RLAsetting a wide range of narrowband upstream channels. The upstreamrouter then makes a quality assessment of available channels in view ofmost recent demand, and it finally selects an upstream channel in viewof the quality assessment made. Quality assessment includesdetermination of busy status and signal characteristics including errorrates, noise floor, and signal to noise ratio. Upstream channels arereleasable according to inactivity or time-out criteria, according towhich release or reassignment occurs responsive to inactivity for over athreshold period. Inactivity is assessed by the hybrid upstream routermonitoring operability indications and data packets received fromassigned RLAs.

The present invention further includes a credit allocation technique intransmissions employing a hybrid access system. According to a method ofthe present invention, an upstream channel is shared by a plurality ofRLAs in accordance with a credit criterion, and credit control packetsare dispatched to a RLA which permit the RLA to send data packets toarbitrary hosts. Upon sending a data packet, the RLA returns the creditcontrol packet to a server containing software including Hybridware™code which manages data flows. The Hybridware™ code or Hybridware™server, according to one embodiment of the present invention, includessoftware distributed among data processors in the upstream anddownstream routers and elsewhere in the HASPOP, including for example inthe network management system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a detailed schematic drawing of a hybrid access systemconnected to a backbone network such as the Internet, and having pointsof presence connecting the backbone network to cable TV headends, TVtransmitters, or Logical Nodes (e.g., cell sites), with remote usersconnecting to an RLA which in turn connects to downstream TV channelsand independent lower speed upstream channels;

FIG. 2a is a schematic drawing of a hybrid access system point ofpresence (POP) according to the present invention including at least asingle host computer or server and at least a single router including ahybrid downstream router, a hybrid upstream router, a dial-up router, anInternet router, or a backbone network router, and a POP LAN switch;

FIG. 2b is a block diagram of a downstream router according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2c is a block diagram of an upstream router according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c comprise a pictorial diagram of a hybrid accesssystem according to the present invention according to which a remoteuser can communicate with an information provider through the hybridaccess system;

FIG. 4 is a logical data flow diagram showing data flows between aserver and a client computer of the hybrid access system according tothe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operation of a two-way cable networkembodiment of the hybrid access system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operation of a one-way cable networkembodiment of the hybrid access system according to the presentinvention, including provision for upstream telephone system data flow;

FIG. 7 is a Hybridware™ server state diagram of the upstream channelallocation method according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a Hybridware™ client state diagram of the upstream channelallocation method according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a logical data flow diagram showing data flows between routerserver and client computers of the hybrid access system for automatichandling of multiple clients according to automatic address allocationmethods of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of address allocation control protocol accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a state diagram of the hybrid adaptive gain control protocolaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 12a is a transmission diagram of information exchange between twonodes in an asymmetric network according to the present invention,having a high downstream data rate of n bits per second and a lowerupstream data rate of m bits per second;

FIG. 12b is a diagram of conventional downstream messaging of firstthrough fourth data packets, 100, 250, 325, and 450, between first andsecond nodes, in parallel with upstream transmission of receiptacknowledge indications;

FIG. 12c is a diagram of a conventional transmission buffer queue in aRLA of a remote client station;

FIG. 12d is a diagram indicating a redundant acknowledgment packet in aconventional transmission buffer queue in a RLA of a remote clientstation;

FIG. 12e is a diagram of a conventional transmission buffer queue,indicating no need for an earlier acknowledgment (ack 100) packet inview of a new acknowledgment (ack 210) packet that supersedes theearlier acknowledgment packet;

FIG. 12f is a diagram of first through third network nodes seriallyconnected to each other in accordance with the present invention,wherein the link between the first and second nodes is asymmetric andthat between the second and third nodes is symmetric;

FIG. 13 is a tabular description of transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) data transmission packet protocolheader as used in connection with the present invention;

FIG. 14a is a diagram of a sequential data transmission between firstand second network nodes, according to the present invention;

FIG. 14b is a diagram of the contents of a conventional transmissionqueue in the downstream node during a first time period;

FIG. 14c shows the contents of a transmission queue in a downstream nodeduring a later time period, eliminating retransmission of the 300packet, according to the present invention, because another 300 packetwas already in the transmission queue;

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of the acknowledge suppression methodaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of the packet suppression method according tothe present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, under conditions in which the client has noinformation to transmit:

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, under conditions in which the client has informationto transmit and the server gradually allocates bandwidth to the client;

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, under conditions in which the server allocates theclient a dedicated channel, the client transmits data and periodicallyreports to the server with done messages; and

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, under conditions in which a dedicated channel isconverted into a shared channel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a detailed schematic drawing of a hybrid access system 1according to the present invention, showing a RLA and user workstation29 connected through hybrid access system 1 to a variety of entitiesconnected to a backbone network 20 such as Internet, includinginformation providers 21, corporations 22, government agencies 23,universities 24, and others 25. A backbone network is one which istypically not directly connected to a user. Hybrid access system 1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes hybridaccess system (HAS) points of presence (POPs) 26 and other points ofpresence 27. HASPOPs 26 include individual HASPOPs 26(1)-26(3) whichenable communication over a broadband network, either by upstream anddownstream cable communications or by downstream cable and upstreamtelephone communications or various other hybrid configurations (e.g.,wireless or satellite). The present invention particularly includes (1)a hybrid access configuration which uses downstream cable TV channelsand upstream public switch telephone network (PSTN), wireless RFcommunications or integrated services digital network (ISDN) telephonelines; (2) a hybrid access configuration which uses downstream wirelessTV channels and upstream public switch telephone network (PSTN),wireless RF communications or integrated services digital network (ISDN)telephone lines; (3) a hybrid access configuration which uses bothdownstream and upstream cable TV channels; (4) a hybrid accessconfiguration which uses both downstream and upstream wireless channels;and (5) a hybrid access configuration with downstream satellite channelsand upstream PSTN, wireless RF communications or ISDN telephonechannels.

Backbone network 20 such as the Internet which includes a plurality ofInternet servers 20 connected to HASPOPs 26 each including a pluralityof host computers and/or servers, collectively referred to as hybridservers. Hybrid access system I further includes broadcast units suchas, a cable television (TV) head end 28, independent upstream channels28'; and a RLA 29. U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,304 (1994) assigned to HybridNetworks, Inc., and describing an example of an RLA is hereby expresslyreferenced and incorporated herein in its entirety. An RLA may receiveanalog broadcast signals including encoded digital information which theRLA decodes and provides to a data terminal or computer. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the downstream flow of informationproceeds from HASPOPs 26(1)-26(3) through cable TV head end or TVtransmitters 28 or cell sites 30 and through RLA and user workstation29. Upstream information flow proceeds in one case from RLA and userworkstation 29 through independent upstream channels 28'; to HASPOP26(1), and then to backbone network 20; along T1 or T3 or other digitallines. In another case, upstream information proceeds from userworkstation through RLA 29 through the cable TV network, and cable TVhead end 28 to hybrid access system point of presence and then throughT1, T3, or other digital lines to backbone network 20. The outputs ofthe cable TV headends or TV transmitters 28 include pluralities of highspeed downstream broadband radio frequency, i.e., RF, channels connectedto respective remote users 29. Hybrid access system 1 further includes aplurality of cell sites 30 connected through high speed links to acorresponding hybrid access system point of presence 26. The outputs ofcell sites 30 include pluralities of high speed downstream broadbandchannels connected to selected remote users 29. A particular remote user29 can be connected via an independent lower speed upstream channel to ahybrid access system point of presence 26 as discussed below or via asimilar independent lower speed upstream channel to another point ofpresence system 27. By lower speed it is meant at a speed reduced fromthe speed of the high speed link used to transmit informationdownstream. A particular hybrid access system point of presence 26 canbe connected via duplex high speed links to a plurality of cable TVheadends or TV transmitters, to a plurality of cell sites 30, or acombination of cable TV headends or TV transmitters 28 and cell sites30.

FIG. 2a is a schematic drawing of a point of presence (POP) system 26(1)according to the present invention, including host computers or servers39 and a POP local area network, i.e., LAN switch 33 to which hostcomputers or servers 39 are connected. Further connected to LAN switch33 are one or more downstream and one or more upstream hybrid accesssystem point of presence routers, respectively 34 and 35, one or moredial-up routers 36, a network management system 37, and conventionalrouters 38. Connected to POP LAN switch 33 are one or more data storageelements or systems. Each downstream hybrid access system point ofpresence router 34 is connected with a high speed link to a TVtransmitter or cable TV headend, for example. Further, each upstreamhybrid access system point of presence router 35 is connected to aplurality of independent upstream channels, which operate at a lowerspeed than the downstream high speed links to TV transmitters or cableTV headends. Each dial-up router 36 is connected to a plurality ofindependent upstream channels operating at a lower speed than theindicated downstream high speed links. Each conventional router 38 isconnected along a high speed line to wide area network (WAN) lines toselected information providers, Internet, or other nodes or businesses.POP LAN switch 33, according to one embodiment of the present inventionis connected directly along a high speed line to wide area network (WAN)lines to selected information providers, Internet, or other nodes orbusinesses.

FIG. 2b is a block diagram of hybrid downstream router 34 according tothe present invention. In particular, downstream router 34 includesnetwork interface 34a, link interface 34b, physical interface 34c,controller 34d, physical interface 34e, link interface 34f, and networkinterface 34g. Downstream router 34 and physical interface 34e areconnected to POP LAN switch 33 for sending and receiving information,and physical interface 34e, link interface 34f, and network interface34g are serially connected to each other and to controller 34d forbidirectional communication of selected information. Additionally,controller 34d is connected directly to each of physical interface 34eand link interface 34f along indicated lines to accomplish control andmessaging functions. Downstream router 34 and physical interface 34c areconnected to cable TV headends, TV broadcast sites, cell cites or thelike, to communicate information primarily or exclusively in aunidirectional or downstream direction, and physical interface 34c, linkinterface 34b, and network interface 34a are serially connected to eachother and to controller 34d for selected communication of selectedinformation. Additionally, controller 34d is connected directly to eachof physical interface 34c and link interface 34b along indicated linesto accomplish control and messaging functions. Downstream router 34 mayinclude one or more of physical interfaces 34c. According to anembodiment of the present invention, router 34 may be a bridge withoutnetwork interfaces 34a and 34g or a connection without networkinterfaces 34a and 34g and without link interfaces 34b and 34f.According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, router 34can be a gateway.

FIG. 2c is a block diagram of upstream router 35 according to thepresent invention. In particular, upstream router 35 includes networkinterface 35a, link interface 35b, physical interface 35c, controller35d, physical interface 35e, link interface 35f, and network interface35g. Upstream router 35 and physical interface 35e are connected to POPLAN switch 33 for sending and receiving information, and physicalinterface 35e, link interface 35f, and network interface 35g areserially connected to each other and to controller 35d for bidirectionalcommunication of selected information. Additionally, controller 35d isconnected directly to each of physical interface 35e and link interface35f along indicated lines to accomplish control and messaging functions.Upstream router 35 and physical interface 35c are connected to upstreamchannels, e.g., telephone links for example, to communicate informationprimarily or exclusively in a unidirectional or upstream direction, andphysical interface 35c, link interface 35b, and network interface 35aare serially connected to each other and to controller 35d for selectedcommunication of selected information. Additionally, controller 35d isconnected directly to each of physical interface 35c and link interface35b along indicated lines to accomplish control and messaging functions.Upstream router 35 may include one or more of physical interfaces 35c.According to an embodiment of the present invention, router 35 may be abridge without network interfaces 35a and 35g or a connection withoutnetwork interfaces 35a and 35g and without link interfaces 35b and 35f.According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, router 35can be a gateway.

FIGS. 3a-3b are drawings of a hybrid access system 1 according to thepresent invention according to which a remote user having a workstation2 or is connected to LAN 61, as shown respectively in FIGS. 3b and 3c,can communicate with a selected information provider 21 including LAN50, bridge or router 51 connected to LAN 50, and dial-up router 52connected to LAN 50 through a hybrid access system point of presence 5.Further, the HAS POP is connected along a high speed link to bridge orrouter 51. Additionally, HAS POP 5 is linked to other informationproviders to receive selected information items. Additionally, dial-uprouter 52 is connected to a plurality of upstream channels. FIG. 3b and3c additionally show respective first and second users, in one caseincluding workstation 2 in turn including a RLA 60 and in the otherinstance including RLA 60 and a local area network (LAN) 61 connected toRLA 60. First user 29(1) is connected to an upstream channel from userworkstation 2, and second user 29(2) is connected to an upstream channeldirectly from RLA 60. In the case of each user, RLA 60 receives inputinformation, particularly radio frequency (RF) information along one ofrespective input channels connected thereto.

FIG. 4 is a logical data flow diagram showing data flows between aserver and a client computer of the hybrid access system 1 according tothe present invention. Hybrid access system 1 includes a serverapplication 70, a hybrid system manager 71, and a Hybridware™ server 72connected to LAN 38. Hybrid access system 1 further includes aHybridware™ client 73 and a client application 74 operating withHybridware™ client 73. Hybridware™ client 73 communicates withHybridware™ server 72, as transmitter along upstream channel 75 or asreceiver along downstream channel 76. Downstream data traffic isexpected to be higher capacity than upstream data traffic: Hence, thebolder depiction of downstream channel 76 than upstream channel 75.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of operation of a two-way cable networkembodiment of hybrid access system 1 according to a hybrid protocolembodiment of the present invention. In particular, according to oneembodiment of the hybrid protocol of the present invention, clientapplication 74 sends 100 data to server application 70 in an upstreamdirection, thereby issuing a connection request. Hybridware™ client 73buffers the data received and checks if it controls an upstream datachannel. If it does, then the data is transmitted forthwith. If itdoesn't, Hybridware™ client 73 queues up the data message and creates101 a channel request for a particular subchannel within upstreamchannel 75. Hybridware™ client 73 then waits 102 for a poll fromHybridware™ server 72, i.e., Hvbridware™ router. According to anembodiment of the present invention, prioritized polling is conductedwhereby not all clients are polled at the same frequency. Clients in anidle state are polled relatively frequently. Clients in blocked andNON-RESP states are polled but not at the same relatively highfrequency. Clients in an ACTIVE state are not polled at all. This isbased on the assumption that an active client has what it wants and thatit is most important to respond quickly to new connections coming fromclients in an IDLE state. Those clients coming from a NON₋₋ RESP cyclereceive second order attention and can wait a little longer, since theymay have already been in a state where communication are impossible andmay have been in that state for a considerable period of time. Accordingto one embodiment of the present invention, a poll cycle is the smallestperiod such that all but active clients are polled at least once. Idleclients may be polled multiple times during one poll cycle. Blocked andnon₋₋ resp clients are distributed evenly across the poll cycle toassure that the latency for acquiring a channel for idle units isuniform. All clients are grouped according to their state and polledwithin each group according to the round robin approach according whicheach of a series is polled in sequence and then the same sequence isrepeatedly polled individual by individual. Upon receipt of a poll,Hybridware™ client 73 sends 103 a channel request via lower speedupstream channel 75. Hybridware™ router 72, i.e., server, receives 104the channel request from Hybridware™ client 73 and initially sends 105 alogin message to Hybridware™ system manager 71. Hybridware™ systemmanager 71 verifies 106 that Hybridware™ client 73 is an authorized userof data processing services on the particular node or system withinwhich hybrid access system 1 operates. Then, Hybridware™ router 72receives 107 a login response message from Hybridware™ system manager 71through LAN 38, which indicates whether the client is allowed to operateon the particular network and which contains other operatingcharacteristics of Hybridware™ client 73. Hybridware™ router 72 thenallocates 108 (see state diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8) an upstream channel75 for Hybridware™ client 73, depending on channel availability andsuitability. Suitability depends on factors including but not limited tochannel quality, type of service required, operating characteristics ofHybridware™ client 73, configuration restrictions, and the like.Hybridware™ router 72 sends 109 an upstream channel allocation messageto Hybridware™ client 73 via high speed downstream channel 76, which mayaccording to one embodiment of the present invention specify thefrequency on which Hybridware™ client 73 is permitted to transmit.Thereafter, Hybridware™ client 73 receives 10 an upstream channelallocation. Next, Hybridware™ client 73 tunes 111 to the specificallyallocated upstream data channel frequency on which it is permitted totransmit data. Finally, Hybridware™ client 73 sends 112 the selectedapplication data from client application 74. Accordingly, clientapplication 74 and server application 70 are able to send and receive113 data via upstream bandwidth management of an asymmetric hybridaccess system, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of operation of a one-way cable networkembodiment of the hybrid access system 1 according to the presentinvention, including provision for upstream telephone system data flow.According to this embodiment of the present invention, when clientapplication 74 needs to communicate with server application 70 in anupstream direction, Hybridware™ client 73 dials 202 Hybridware™ router72. Then. Hybridware™ client 73 sends 203 a channel request via lowerspeed PSTN upstream channel (not shown). Hybridware™ router 72 receives204 the channel request and sends 205 a login message to Hybridware™system manager 71. Hybridware™ system manager 71 verifies 206Hybridware™ client 73 as an authorized user. Then, Hybridware™ router 72receives 207 a login response from Hybridware™ system manager 71.Hybridware™ router 72 sends 208 an authorization message to Hybridware™client 73 via high speed downstream channel 76. Hybridware™ client 73receives 209 the authorization message for use of a selected upstreamPSTN channel. Finally, Hybridware™ client 73 sends 212 the selectedapplication data. Accordingly, client application 74 and serverapplication 70 are able to send and receive 213 selected data via theasymmetric hybrid access system 1.

FIG. 7 is a Hybridware™ server state diagram for upstream channelallocation of the hybrid access system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. According to the state diagram of FIG. 7, theHybridware™ server can be in one of four states: IDLE 301, NON₁₃ RESP304, BLOCKED 302, or ACTIVE 303. In the IDLE state, the Hybridware™server expects an IDLE poll response, if there is no request to theclient from the no application or a channel request message, or if thereis application data that needs to be sent in the upstream direction, thestate is idle. Upon receiving a channel request message from a client,the server transitions the client to a BLOCKED state. In a BLOCKEDstate, the server sends one of two messages to the client a channelallocation message or a no channel available message. Upon sending achannel allocation message, the server transitions the client to anACTIVE state. Upon sending a no channel available message, the clientremains in a BLOCKED state. The client will remain in the BLOCKED stateuntil either a channel becomes available in which case the server willtransition the client to the ACTIVE state or the server receives achannel release message in which case the server will transition theclient to the IDLE state. In the ACTIVE state, the server does not pollthe client. The server transitions the client from ACTIVE to IDLE uponreceiving a channel deallocation message or upon detecting a systemdefined inactivity time-out. In the ACTIVE state, the server waits for aperiodic heartbeat message from the client. The Hybridware™ serversoftware awaits periodic heartbeat messages from the client at selectedtime intervals. The server software monitors other channel qualityparameters including errors and signal to noise ratios. If the serverstops hearing a certain number of operability indications or signalswithin a system defined interval as to a particular client, or ifparticular parameters (e.g., signal to noise ratio), then the serversend a directed poll to the particular client. Essentially, the clientis instructed to respond on another control frequency. If the clientresponds on the designated control frequency, the server reassigns theupstream channel to the client, so that it can continue to operate. Ifnot, the client is deemed NON₋₋ RESP. Channel quality monitoring andchannel reassignments are done transparently to the user and theapplications. If a certain, system defined, consecutive count ofheartbeat messages is missed, the server issues a special poll messageor directed poll. If the client does not respond, the server transitionsto the NON₋₋ RESP state. If the client responds to the poll, the servereither remains in the ACTIVE state or transitions to the IDLE state. Theformer happens, if the client responds with a channel request message,and the latter happens, if the client responds with an IDLE pollresponse. In the former case, the server may decide to assign adifferent upstream channel to the client. In the BLOCKED or IDLE state,the server will transition the client to NON₋₋ RESP, i.e.,"nonresponsive," state after the client fails to respond to a systemdefined number of polls. The NON₋₋ RESP state is almost identical interms of state transition to idle state, a difference being that an IDLEpoll response transitions the client into an IDLE state.

FIG. 8 is a Hybridware™ client state diagram for upstream channelallocation of the hybrid access system 1 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, involving two way cable communication. Accordingto this embodiment, the hybrid upstream client protocol has threestates, IDLE 401, CON₋₋ REQ, i.e., "connect request" 402, and ACTIVE404. In the IDLE state, the client, when polled, will transmit an IDLEpoll response, if there is no request from the application. However, itwill respond with a channel request message, if there is data that needsto be sent upstream. Upon transmitting a channel request message, theclient transitions to a CON₋₋ REQ state. In the CON₋₋ REQ state, theclient expects one of two messages from the hybrid router, a channelavailable or a no-channel allocation signal. Upon receiving a channelallocation message, the client informs the application and tunes to thechannel it was allocated and transitions to the ACTIVE state. Uponreceiving a no-channel available message, the client informs theapplication and transitions to the IDLE state. In the ACTIVE state, theclient forwards data messages from the application to the upstreamtransmitter. In the ACTIVE state, the client further monitors theapplication activity and if it detects that no data has moved from theapplication to the upstream transmitter for a system defined period oftime, it will send a channel deallocation request and transition to anidle state. In an ACTIVE state, the application may explicitly requestthat the channel be released, in which case the client will send achannel deallocation request to the hybrid router and will transition tothe IDLE state. In the ACTIVE state, the client periodically sends anoperability indication message to the server. If the client receives apoll message during the ACTIVE state, it will send a channel requestmessage and will transition to a CON₋₋ REQ state. The hybrid router mayalso send an unsolicited channel release message, in which case theclient will notify the application and transition from ACTIVE state toIDLE state.

FIG. 9 is a logical data flow diagram showing data flows between serverand client computers of the hybrid access system 1 according to thepresent invention, for multiple clients under an address allocationprotocol simplifying distribution of ip addresses to remote systems. Theprotocol according to the present invention determines where a givenHybridware™ client is located and how to download its ip address, giventhat the client has no address yet. Hybrid access system 1 includes aserver application 70, a hybrid system manager 71, and Hybridware™servers 72a & 72b connected to LAN 38. Hybrid access system 1 furtherincludes Hybridware™ clients 73a and 73b and client applications 74a and74b operating with respective ones of Hybridware™ clients 73a and 73b.Hybridware™ client 73a communicates with Hybridware™ server 72a, astransmitter along upstream channel 75a or as receiver along downstreamchannel 76a. Hybridware™ client 73b communicates with Hybridware™ server72b, as transmitter along upstream channel 75b or as receiver alongdownstream channel 76b. Downstream data traffic is expected to be highercapacity than upstream data traffic: Hence, the bolder depiction ofdownstream channels 76a and 76b than upstream channels 75a and 75b.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of address allocation control according to anembodiment of the present invention to logon and configure Hybridware™clients with a selected unique node name which is entered in theconfiguration database in the hybrid system manager 71 which is thesoftware portion of network management system 37. In particular, hybridsystem manager 71 sends a new client message to all hybrid routers 72aand 72b after learning of particular new clients by message, mail, ortelephone call (Step 500 in FIG. 10). At this point the hybrid systemmanager is aware of a Hybridware™ client identification name andequipment serial number, but has not associated the clientidentification name with a separate unique client address (e.g.,Internet Protocol, or IP address) provided by separate automaticregistration. Each hybrid router 72a and 72b periodically broadcasts aconfiguration poll message (Step 501). Hybridware™ clients recognizetheir preselected unique names during a configuration poll. Hybridware™clients 72a and 72b respond to the configuration poll (Step 502). Hybridrouters 72a and 72b receive respective configuration poll responses.Then, hybrid routers 72a and 72b send respective client found messagesto system manager 71. System manager 71 then sends a cease configurationpoll message to all hybrid routers. Further, system manager 71 allocatesan Internet protocol (IP) address and other configuration data for eachnew client according to the preselected unique names. System manager 71sends the IP address and other configuration data to the applicablehybrid router 72a, 72b. Then, the applicable hybrid router 72a, 72bsends using broadcast or unicast and the unique name the correspondingIP address and other configuration data to the applicable Hybridware™client. As a result, the Hybridware™ client receives the IP address andother configuration data determined and reconfigures appropriately. Insummary, according to the present invention, an automatic addressallocation and configuration method in transmissions employs a hybridaccess system. Remote users are identified initially with a uniqueabstract name, e.g., "Bob," and this abstract name is registered by thenetwork management system. Configuration is established by the upstreamrouters polling the remote users and registering the location of theremote user responding to the poll made with the particular abstractname. Upstream channel allocation is accordingly made subject to theconfiguration made including abstract name and identified location.Automatic address allocation and configuration is accordinglyaccomplished on line at an initial log-on session with a new user. Themethod of the present invention is accordingly swift and simple,eliminating registration relays experienced by many known log-insystems.

FIG. 11 is a state diagram of the hybrid adaptive gain control protocolaccording to the present invention, which overcomes noise andattenuation while transmitting on cable in an upstream direction. Thehybrid adaptive gain control protocol has a searching state 600 and astable state 601. In stable state 601, the protocol evaluates pollmessages from the hybrid router. If a poll message indicates loss of apoll response, the protocol transitions to the searching state 600. Pollresponses are transmitted at a fixed power level. In the searching state600, the client system responds to polls with a poll response at largerand larger power levels. After receiving a system specified, number ofconsecutive polls with an indication of a successful poll response, thesystem transitions to a stable state.

FIG. 12a is a transmission diagram of information exchange between nodesA and B. Nodes A and B comprise an asymmetric network according to thepresent invention, having a high downstream data rate of n bits persecond and a lower upstream data rate of m bits per second. Thedownstream data rate n is greater than the upstream data rate m. Node Bincludes receive and transmission queues to hold information receivedand to be sent, including acknowledge indications or messages. Theacknowledge suppression method according to the present inventionrelates to the node or system transmitting data acknowledgments, whichacknowledges receipt of either data packets or data bytes contained inincoming packets. The numbers on data packets indicate the position ofthe last data byte of the packet in the data stream, and theacknowledgment numbers indicate that all the bytes of the data stream upto and including the byte indicated have been received. According to themethod of the present invention, the acknowledgment of byte k (or packetnumber k) indicates that all bytes or packets prior to k have beenreceived. According to a method of the present invention, the transmitqueue queues up additional acknowledgment packets as new packets arereceived. FIG. 12b is a diagram of messaging of first through fourthdata packets, 100, 250, 325, and 450, between upstream and downstreamnodes, in parallel with upstream transmission of receipt acknowledgeindications with respect to only two data packets, namely 250 and 450.FIG. 12c is a diagram indicating acknowledgment of first and secondpacket receptions during a first time period. In particular, packet 1(i.e., "pkt 1") is currently being sent, and an acknowledge (i.e., "ack250") message is currently being appended at the end of the transmitqueue. FIG. 12d is a diagram indicating acknowledgment of another packetduring another period. FIG. 12e is a diagram indicating no need for anacknowledge 100 signal in view of a prior acknowledgment having beensuccessful. In particular, according to the acknowledge suppressionmethod of the present invention, not all acknowledgment packets will besent to node A, because the "ack 210" message carries information whichsupersedes the "ack 100" message. Accordingly, the amount of traffic onthe communication link from B to A is reduced, according to the presentinvention. In general, this introduces an acknowledge latency, but whereall messages queued up for transmission are acknowledgments,acknowledgment latency is reduced. For example, when an "ack 15" signalis transmitted and an "ack 100" message awaits transmission, and an "ack210" message is appended to the queue, the acknowledge suppressionmethod according to the present invention will delete the "ack 100"message as superfluous. Any new acknowledgments appended while "ack 15"is being transmitted will result in deletions of unnecessaryacknowledgments keeping queue length to two. Upon transmit completion of"ack 15," the next acknowledgment, e.g., "ack 210" will be transmitted.Accordingly, the method of the present invention eliminates unnecessarytransmission of "ack 100" signals and provides for reducedacknowledgment latency for "ack 210." The ack suppression methodaccording to the present invention, accordingly reduces the probabilityof queue overflow and potential out of memory conditions in system B. Itreduces the load on the communication link from B to A, and in somecircumstances reduces acknowledgment latency for data transfers from Bto A. FIG. 12f is a diagram of first through fourth network nodesserially connected to each other in accordance with the presentinvention, wherein the link between the first and second nodes issymmetric, the link between the second and third nodes is asymmetric andthat between the third and fourth nodes is symmetric. The acknowledgesuppression method of the present invention applies to both thecommunications system of FIG. 12a, in which nodes A and B are end nodes,as well as to the communications system of FIG. 12f, in which nodes Band C are intermediate systems such as a router, and data packetsoriginating at node D are transmitted through router nodes C and B to acentral system connected to node A.

FIG. 13 is a tabular description of a transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) data transmission packet protocolheader as used in connection with the present invention. The first five32 bit words and the following IP options are referred to as the IPheader. The five words following the IP options together with the wordscontaining TCP options are referred to as the TCP header. The non-ackTCP header is the TCP header less the acknowledgment number field.

FIG. 14a shows sequential data transmission between first and secondnodes, according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14a, datapackets or bytes 100-700 are transmitted from node A to node B.Concomitantly, acknowledge messages, "ack 100," "ack 200," and "ack300," were dispatched from node B to node A.

FIG. 14b shows a data packet sequence of packets 100-400 held in thetransmit queue during a first time period, followed by a singleacknowledgment, "ack 100."

FIG. 14c is a diagram of a data packet sequence transmitted during alater time period, eliminating retransmission of the 300 packet, becauseanother 300 packet was already in the transmission buffer.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an acknowledge suppression (AS) method,i.e., an AS method, according to the present invention in which receiptof information transmitted from system A to system B over a firstindependent simplex communication link is acknowledged by system B. Themethod of the present invention starts 1500 at a particular time, and afirst packet Mi of information is received 1501. If the transmit queueis not empty 1502, the header of the last packet Mi+1 on the transmitqueue is obtained 1503. If the transmit queue is empty 1502, then Mi isenqueued 1509 and the AS method according to the present invention iscompleted. If the header of the last packet Mi+1 on the transmit queueequals 1504 the header of packet Mi, and the NON₋₋ ACK TCP header of Miequals 1505 the NON₋₋ ACK TCP header of Mi, then Mi+1 is discarded 1506.If the header of the last packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue does notequal 1504 the header of packet Mi, or the NON₋₋ ACK TCP header of Midoes not equal 1505 the NON₋₋ ACK TCP header of Mi, then Mi is enqueued1509 and the AS method according to the present invention is completed.If Mi+1 is not the last message on the queue 1507, then the header onthe next packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue is obtained 1508, and acomparison is done to determine whether the header of the last packetMi+1 on the transmit queue equals 1504 the header of packet Mi. If Mi+1is the last message on the queue 1507, then Mi is enqueued 1509 and theAS method according to the present invention is completed.

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of the packet suppression (PS) methodaccording to the present invention. The method of the present inventionstarts 1600 at a particular time, and a first packet Mi of informationis received 1601. If the transmit queue is not empty 1602, the header ofthe last packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue is obtained 1603. If thetransmit queue is empty 1602, then Mi is enqueued 1609 and the PS methodaccording to the present invention is completed. If the header of thelast packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue equals 1604 the header of packetMi, then Mi+I is discarded 1606. If the header of the last packet Mi+1on the transmit queue does not equal 1604 the header of packet Mi, thenMi is enqueued 1609 and the PS method according to the present inventionis completed. If Mi+1 is not the last message on the queue 1607, thenthe header on the next packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue is obtained1608, and a comparison is done to determine whether the header of thelast packet Mi+1 on the transmit queue equals 1604 the header of packetMi. If Mi+1 is the last message on the queue 1607, then Mi is enqueued1609 and the PS method according to the present invention is completed.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, according to conditions in which the client has nodata to transmit. A credit (1, F) corresponding to a predeterminedamount of data, e.g., ten bytes, or ten packets, is transmitted fromnode A to node B, and a done signal DONE(0,0) is transmitted from node Bto node A, indicating that no data packet was transmitted, leaving theexisting credit level of the particular channel unchanged. The creditprotocol according to the present invention permits single upstreamcable channels to be shared by multiple remote link adapters.Alternatively, a single upstream channel is controlled and used by asingle remote link adapter until the channel is relinquished. Thepresent invention includes an allocation method in transmissionsemploying a hybrid access system. According to a method of the presentinvention, an upstream channel is shared by a plurality of remote linkadapters in accordance with a credit criterion, and credit controlpackets are dispatched to a remote link adapter which permit the remotelink adapter to send data packets to arbitrary hosts. Upon sending adata packet, the remote link adapter returns the credit control packetto a Hybridware™ server. A credit permits a remote link adapter to senda certain number of packets up to a maximum number controlled by aconfiguration parameter MAX₋₋ CREDIT₋₋ PACKETS, thereby eliminatingpolling for that period. If a remote link adapter does not have a datapacket to send, it returns the credit to the hybrid access systemwithout sending any data packets. The remote link adapter then sets afield in the credit control packet to the number of packets which wassent. If the protocol process at the server does not receive creditstatus information from the credit control packet within a certaincredit time-out, CREDIT₋₋ TIMEOUT, in milliseconds, for a certain numberof times, FAIL₋₋ CNT, consecutively, the remote link adapter is assumedto be in error and is put in a not-responding state. The overallupstream channel performance of a remote link adapter using a creditchannel is lower than a remote link adapter on a sole use upstreamchannel. If any sole use upstream channel becomes available, thischannel is given to the credit remote link adapter that has been waitingthe longest for a sole use upstream channel that currently has packetsto send.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, according to conditions in which the client hasinformation to transmit and the server gradually allocates bandwidth tothe client. In particular, a node first provides a single credit at aselected frequency. Then a packet is sent, consuming the credit,followed by a completion message indicating use of one credit andpotential for an additional transmission corresponding to three credits.Next, a credit is provided corresponding to two packets at the selectedfrequency, which is followed by two packet transmissions and acompletion message indicating consumption of two credits and potentialfor transmission of one more. In response, another double credit issent, followed by a single packet and an acknowledgment of transmissionof one and potential for no more transmissions.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, according to conditions in which the server allocatesthe client a dedicated channel, the client transmits data andperiodically reports to the server with done messages. In particular, acredit indication dedicating a channel at frequency F is provided,followed by 235 packet transmissions. According to prearrangement, ofoperability indication in the form of a DONE message is provided at anestablished time indicating potential for five more packettransmissions. The done message indicates completion of 235 packettransmissions, as an accounting function. Because the channel isdedicated, further packet transmissions are made without specificfurther credit allocations.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of information exchanges between Hybridware™server and client, according to conditions in which a dedicated channelis converted into a shared channel. In particular, a credit indicationis provided, followed by transmission of 235 packets and a creditmessage stopping channel dedication and switching to a credit mode.Responsive to the credit message a DONE signal accounts for the 235packets transmitted during the dedicated mode and indicates potentialfor five more transmissions. This is followed by a credit allocation ofone at a selected frequency. Thus, one packet is transmitted, followedby a completion indication specifying potential for four more packets tobe transmitted.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of accessing a wide area network fromany of a plurality of client processors each in communication with anasymmetric hybrid network including high-speed downstream andlower-speed upstream channels, said method including the stepsof:providing a shared medium over which said plurality of clientprocessors receive information transfers via said downstream channel,providing two-way control of said high-speed downstream and lower-speedupstream channels in a network session by a hybrid system manager and arouter server, providing a polling signal from said hybrid systemmanager to poll said client processors over said high-speed downstreamchannel, issuing an upstream channel allocation request via a lowerspeed channel, conducting login communications between said routerserver and the system manager, verifying authorized user status at thesystem manager, allocating an upstream channel to at least one of saidclient processors by a message sent via said high speed downstreamchannel, and sending upstream data over the allocated lower speedupstream channel of the asymmetric hybrid access network.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further including the step of providing multiplestates of operation of said client processors, and wherein the step ofproviding a polling signal includes polling representations of saidclient processors assigned to an idle state at a selected period ofpolling.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further including the stepof providing multiple states of operation of said client processors, andwherein the step of providing a polling signal includes pollingrepresentations of said client processors assigned to a blocked state ata selected periodicity of polling.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further including the step of providing multiple states of operation ofsaid client processors, and wherein the step of providing a pollingsignal includes polling representations of said client processorsassigned to a non-responsive state at a selected periodicity of polling.5. The method according to claim 1, further including the step ofproviding multiple states of operation of said client processorsincluding an idle state and a blocked state, and wherein the step ofproviding a polling signal includes polling representations of saidclient processors assigned to idle and blocked states at selected firstand second periods of polling, and polling of client processors assignedto an idle state occurs more frequently than polling of clientprocessors assigned to a blocked state.
 6. The method according to claim1, further including the step of providing multiple states of operationof said client processors including an idle state and a non-responsivestate, and wherein the step of providing a polling signal includespolling representations of said client processors assigned to idle andnon-responsive states at selected first and second levels of frequencyof polling, and polling of client processors assigned to an idle stateoccurs more frequently than polling of client processors assigned to anon-responsive state.
 7. The method according to claim 1, furtherincluding the step of providing multiple states of operation of saidclient processors including an idle state, a blocked state and anon-responsive state, and wherein clients in an idle state are polledmultiple times during a poll cycle and polling of clients in a blockedor nonresponsive state is distributed evenly over a poll cycle to assurethat the latency for acquiring a channel for idle units is uniform. 8.The method according to claim 1, wherein polling includes groupingclients by state and polling within each group on a round robin basis.9. An asymmetric network communication system in which a representationof a remote client is polled at a selectable periodicity depending upona state of said client, said system comprising a host server forcommunicating with said remote client over a shared medium and whereinsaid remote client includes an associated remote link adapter forreceiving high speed downstream information from said host server oversaid shared medium and for transmitting lower speed return informationover an upstream channel, and wherein said network communication systemincludes a hybrid access system for providing interactive networksessions in downstream and upstream communication channels, forassigning one of a plurality of states to said remote client and forpolling said remote client at a selected one of multiple polling periodsdepending upon the assigned state of said remote client.
 10. The systemas in claim 9, wherein said plurality of states comprises at least twostates selected from the group of states including active, idle, blockedand non-responsive states.
 11. The system as in claim 10, wherein saidclient is assigned said idle state if said server has not received achannel request message from said client.
 12. The system as in claim 11,wherein said client is transitioned from said idle state to said blockedstate upon receipt by said server of said channel request message fromsaid client.
 13. The system as in claim 12, wherein said client istransitioned to said active state from said blocked state upon a channelbecoming available and said server sending a channel allocation messageto said client.
 14. The system as in claim 12, wherein said clientremains assigned to said blocked state when no channel is available andsaid server sends a no channel available message.
 15. The system as inclaim 12, wherein said client is transitioned to said idle state fromsaid blocked state upon receipt by said server of a channel releasemessage from said client.
 16. The system as in claim 13, wherein saidclient is transitioned from said active state to said idle state uponsaid server receiving a channel deallocation message or detecting apredetermined inactivity time-out.
 17. The system as in claim 13,wherein said client assigned to said active state provides said serverwith periodic messages.
 18. The system as in claim 17, wherein saidserver sends a directed poll to said client if said server has notreceived signals from said client for a predetermined time period. 19.The system as in claim 18, wherein said directed poll instructs saidclient to utilize another upstream channel.
 20. The system as in claim18, wherein said server assigns said another upstream channel to saidclient if said client responds to said directed poll.
 21. The system asin claim 18, wherein said client is transitioned to said non-responsivestate if said client does not respond to said directed poll.
 22. Thesystem as in claim 18, wherein said client remains assigned to saidactive state if said client responds to said directed poll with achannel request message.
 23. The system as in claim 18, wherein saidclient is transitioned to said idle state if said client responds tosaid directed poll with an idle poll response.
 24. The system as inclaim 12, wherein a client in said blocked or idle state is transitionedto a non-responsive state if said client fails to respond to apredetermined number of polls.
 25. The system as in claim 12, wherein aclient assigned to said non-responsive state is transitioned to saidblocked state upon receipt by said server of a channel request messagefrom said client.
 26. The system as in claim 12, wherein a clientassigned to said non-responsive state is transitioned to said idle stateupon receipt by said server of an idle poll response.
 27. The system asin claim 12, further including a plurality of remote clients that areassigned different states including an idle state, and wherein saidremote clients assigned to said idle state are polled more frequentlythan all other clients.
 28. The system as in claim 27, wherein clientsassigned to said idle state are polled a plurality of times during eachpolling cycle.
 29. A high speed communication system including aplurality of remote clients wherein status indications of states ofrespective ones of said clients are polled at a selected frequencydepending on the respective states of said clients, said systemcomprising a shared medium, a host server for communicating with saidplurality of remote clients over said shared medium and a hybrid accesssystem for managing downstream and upstream communications between saidhost server and said plurality of clients, for assigning one of aplurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients and forpolling representations of states of remote clients in a group in whichclients have a common state at a selected one of multiple pollingperiods depending on the assigned state of said clients within saidgroup.
 30. The system as in claim 29, wherein said plurality of statescomprises at least two states selected from the group of statesincluding active, idle, blocked and non-responsive states.
 31. Thesystem as in claim 30, wherein a client in said active or idle statetransitions to a connection request state when one of said clientstransmitting a channel request message.
 32. The system as in claim 30,wherein a client in said connection request state transitions to saididle state upon receipt of a no-channel allocation signal from saidserver.
 33. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in saidconnection request state transitions to said active state upon receiptof a channel allocation signal, said client also tuning to an allocatedchannel.
 34. The system as in claim 30, wherein a client in said activestate sends a channel deallocation request signal if it detects noactivity from a client application for a predetermined time period, saidclient then transitioning to said idle state.
 35. The system as in claim30, wherein a client in an active state transitions to said idle stateupon a request to transition to said idle state by a client application.36. The system as in claim 30, wherein said server sends an unsolicitedchannel release message and cause a client to change from said active tosaid idle state.
 37. A method of polling representations indicative ofstates of a plurality of remote devices in an asymmetric communicationnetwork including a server that communicates with said devices over ashared medium, comprising the steps of:said server assigning arespective state of a plurality of states to respective ones of saidplurality of remote devices; said server polling said devices atdifferent selectable periods based upon the respective states of saiddevices, and said server enabling an information transfer from one ofsaid devices to said server as a result of said polling.
 38. The methodas in claim 37, wherein said plurality of states comprises at least twostates selected from the group of states including active, idle, blockedand non-responsive states.
 39. The method as in claim 38, wherein saidserver polls representations of devices that are assigned to said idlestate more frequently than other devices.
 40. An asymmetric networkcommunication system including a server, a plurality of remote clientsand an information distribution facility for distributing data to saidremote clients, said communication system comprising:a downstreamchannel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to receivehigh speed data from said server over a shared medium, at least oneupstream channel that enables at least one of said remote clients totransmit lower speed return data to said server, and a hybrid accesssystem including a network manager for effecting transfers of databetween said server and said remote clients, for effecting theassignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of saidremote clients, for effecting polling of states of remote clients withina group having a common state at a selected one of multiple pollingperiods depending upon the state of remote clients in said group and forenabling transfers of data from said remote clients as a result of saidpolling.
 41. The network communication system as recited in claim 40wherein one of said upstream channels and said downstream channel residein different communication media.
 42. The network communication systemas recited in claim 40 wherein said shared medium comprises a hybridfiber coaxial cable system and said remote clients physically connect inparallel to said hybrid fiber coaxial cable system to receivesimultaneously broadcasted data whereby to facilitate efficient sharingof resources at said distribution facility by said remote clients. 43.The network communication system as recited in claim 42 wherein one ofsaid upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes datatransmitted by said at least one remote client to said informationdistribution facility which, in turn, routes said data to said server.44. The network communication system as recited in claim 43 wherein oneof said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network that routes datatransmitted by said at least one remote client directly to said server.45. The network communication system as recited in claim 42 wherein oneof said upstream channels comprises an independent lower speed channeltransmitted over said hybrid fiber coaxial cable, and said upstreamrouter receives said data transmitted by said at least one remote clientover said independent upstream channel and routes said data to saidserver.
 46. The network communication system as recited in claim 40wherein said distribution facility comprises a cellular broadcastfacility, said shared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts fromsaid cellular broadcast facility, and said remote clients each compriseradio frequency receivers for substantially simultaneously receivingdata transmitted over said shared medium so as to provide sharing ofresources at said distribution facility by said remote clients.
 47. Thenetwork communication system as recited in claim 46 wherein one of saidupstream channels comprises a lower speed cellular return channel routedthrough said distribution facility.
 48. The network communication systemas recited in claim 40 wherein said distribution facility comprises adirect broadcast satellite, said shared medium comprises electromagnetictransmissions from said direct satellite broadcast and said remoteclients include a receiver for substantially simultaneously receivingdata from said broadcast so as to provide sharing of resources amongsaid remote clients.
 49. The network communication system as recited inclaim 48 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN networkthat routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to saidserver.
 50. The network communication system as recited in claim 40wherein each of said upstream and downstream channels resides in acommunication medium selected from one of a transmission of a CATVdistribution network, a cell site, a radio transmitter station, atelevision transmitter station, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, anover-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellitecommunication network and a telephone network.
 51. The networkcommunication system as recited in claim 40 wherein said distributionfacility comprises a television broadcast facility, said shared mediumcomprises radio frequency broadcasts from said television broadcastfacility, and said remote clients include radio frequency receivers forsubstantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said sharedmedium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at saiddistribution facility.
 52. The network communication system as recitedin claim 51 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to saidinformation distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data tosaid server.
 53. The network communication system as recited in claim 52wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network thatroutes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.54. The network communication system as recited in claim 40 wherein saiddistribution facility comprises a broadband broadcast facility, saidshared medium comprises electromagnetic broadcasts from said broadbandbroadcast facility, and said remote clients include receivers forsubstantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over said sharedmedium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at saiddistribution facility.
 55. The network communication system as recitedin claim 54 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote clientto said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes saiddata to said server.
 56. The network communication system as recited inclaim 54 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN networkthat routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directlyto said server.
 57. The network communication system as recited in claim43 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective ones of said remote clients communicating withsaid shared medium.
 58. The network communication system as recited inclaim 40 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation ofsaid upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 59. The network communication system as recited in claim 45wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channelwhereby to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidthaccording to demand by respective remote clients communicating with saidshared medium.
 60. The network communication system as recited in claim46 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 61. The network communication system as recited in claim 50wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 62. The network communication system as recited in claim 40wherein said distribution facility comprises a CATV broadcast facility,said shared medium comprises broadband broadcasts from said CATVbroadcast facility, and said remote clients include broadband receiversfor substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over saidshared medium so as to provide sharing of resources located at saiddistribution facility.
 63. The network communication system as recitedin claim 62 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to saidinformation distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data tosaid server.
 64. The network communication system as recited in claim 62wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said remote clients directly tosaid server.
 65. In combination with a television signal broadcastfacility, a host computer and a plurality of remote clients, theimprovement comprising:a packet distribution facility in communicationwith said host computer for distributing data packets from said hostcomputer to at least one of said plurality of remote clients, adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients soas to enable said remote clients to receive data packets transmittedfrom said host computer over a shared medium, at least one upstreamchannel for enabling said remote clients to transmit return data packetsto said host computer, and a hybrid access system including a networkmanager for effecting transfers of data packets between said hostcomputer and said remote clients, for effecting the assignment of one ofa plurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients, foreffecting polling of states of respective ones of said remote clients ata selectable periodicity depending upon the state of said clients andfor enabling transfers of data packets from said remote clients to saidhost computer as a result of said polling.
 66. In an asymmetric networkcommunication system including a host server and a plurality of remoteclients, an information distribution facility that distributesinformation signals between said host server and remote clients, adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients topermit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speedinformation signals from said host server over a shared medium of saiddistribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol,at least one upstream channel for enabling at least one of said remoteclients to transmit return information signals to said host server at alower rate than the rate of information signals transmitted over saiddownstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, ahybrid access system for implementing said downstream and upstreamprotocols including a network manager for effecting transfers ofinformation signals between said host computer and said remote clients,for polling representations of respective ones of said remote clients ata selectable periodicity depending on the state of respective ones ofsaid clients, for effecting the assignment of one of a plurality ofstates to respective ones of said remote clients and for enablingtransfers of information signals from said remote clients to said hostcomputer as a result of said polling, the combination of a respectiveremote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remoteclients for receiving information signals transmitted from said hostserver in accordance with said downstream channel protocol implementedby said host server and for transmitting information signals from saidremote clients to said host server in accordance with said upstreamchannel protocol implemented by said host server.
 67. A packet deliverysystem for use in an asymmetric network including a host server and aplurality of remote clients operating in accordance with a high speeddownstream and a lower speed upstream protocol, said packet deliverysystem comprising:a downstream channel that is shared by said remoteclients so as to enable said at least one remote client to receive highspeed data packets from said host server over a shared medium, at leastone upstream channel that enables said remote clients to transmit lowerspeed return data packets to said host server, a hybrid access systemfor handling transfers of data packets between said host server and saidremote clients over said shared medium in accordance with said upstreamand downstream channel protocols, said hybrid access system including anetwork manager for effecting transfers of data packets between saidserver and said remote clients, for effecting the assignment of one of aplurality of states to respective ones of said remote clients, forpolling a status register indicative of the state of respective ones ofsaid remote clients at a selectable periodicity depending on the statesof said clients and for enabling transfers of data packets from saidremote clients as a result of said polling.
 68. A wireless packetdelivery system for use in a communication network that establishes acommunications link between a host server and at least one remoteclient, said system comprising:a downstream channel that is shared bysaid at least one remote client for receiving data packets from saidhost server over a shared medium, at least one upstream channel thatenables said at least one remote client to transmit return data packetsto said host server, and a hybrid access system for handling transfersof data packets between said host server and said at least one remoteclient over said shared medium in accordance with upstream anddownstream channel protocols, said hybrid access system including anetwork manager for effecting transfers of data between said server andsaid at least one remote client, for effecting polling of statusindications of respective ones of said at least one remote client at aselected periodicity depending on said status indications, for effectingassignment of one of a plurality of states to respective ones of said atleast one remote client and for enabling transfers of data from said atleast one remote client as a result of said polling.
 69. The wirelesspacket delivery system as recited in claim 68 wherein said network isasymmetric wherein downstream transfers of data packets are higher thanupstream transfers of data packets.
 70. An asymmetric networkcommunication system including a server, a plurality of remote clientsand an information distribution facility for distributing data to saidremote clients, said communication system comprising:a downstreamchannel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to receivehigh speed data from said server over a shared medium, at least oneupstream channel that enables at least one of said remote clients totransmit lower speed return data to said server, a hybrid access systemincluding a network manager for effecting transfers of data between saidserver and said remote clients, for effecting polling of statusindications of respective ones of said remote clients at a selectableperiodicity depending on said status indications, for effecting theassignment of one of a plurality of status indications to respectiveones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of data from saidremote clients as a result of said polling.
 71. In an asymmetriccommunication system which includes a host server and a plurality ofremote clients, an information distribution facility that distributesinformation signals between said host server and remote clients, adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients topermit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speedinformation signals from said host server over a shared medium of saiddistribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol,at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients totransmit return information signals to said host server at a lower speedthan the speed of said information signals transmitted over saiddownstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, anda network manager for implementing said downstream and upstreamprotocols for effecting transfers of information between said hostserver and said remote clients, for effecting polling of status ofrespective ones of said remote clients at a selectable frequency for agiven number of remote clients depending upon a detected status, foreffecting the assignment of one of a plurality of states to respectiveones of said remote clients and for enabling transfers of data from saidremote clients to said host server in response to an assigned state, thecombination including a remote link adapter associated with respectiveones of said remote clients for receiving information transmitted fromsaid host server in accordance with said downstream channel protocolimplemented by said host server and for transmitting information fromsaid remote client to said host server in accordance with said upstreamchannel protocol implemented by said host server.
 72. In a networkcommunication system which includes a host server, a plurality of remoteclients, an information distribution facility that distributesinformation signals between said host server and remote clients, adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients toconvey information from said host server to said remote clients over ashared medium of said distribution facility in accordance with adownstream channel protocol, at least one upstream channel for saidremote clients for conveying return information signals from said remoteclients to said host server in accordance with an upstream channelprotocol, and a network manager for implementing said downstream andupstream protocols for effecting transfers of information between saidhost server and said remote clients, for effecting polling ofrepresentations of status indications of respective ones of said remoteclients at a selected polling cycle, for effecting the assignment of oneof a plurality of status indications to respective ones of said remoteclients and for enabling transfers of data from said remote clients tosaid host server in response to an assigned status, the combination of aremote interface associated with respective ones of said remote clientsfor receiving information signals transmitted from said host server inaccordance with said downstream channel protocol implemented by saidhost server and for transmitting information signals from said remoteclient to said host server in accordance with said upstream channelprotocol implemented by said host server.
 73. The system as recited inclaim 70, wherein said status indications reside at least at one of saidhybrid access system and said remote clients.
 74. The system as recitedin claim 71, wherein the status indications of respective ones of saidremote clients are located in a register of at least one of said networkmanager and said remote clients.
 75. The system as recited in claim 72,wherein the status indications of respective ones of said remote clientsis located in a register of at least one of said network manager andremote clients.
 76. The system as recited in claim 70, wherein said atleast one upstream channel is carried by a public switched telephonenetwork.
 77. The system as recited in claim 71, wherein said at leastone upstream channel is carried by a public switched telephone network.78. The system as recited in claim 71, wherein said remote link adapterincludes a receiver for receiving downstream information and whosechannel frequency is controlled by said network manager.
 79. The systemas recited in claim 72, wherein said at least one upstream channel iscarried by a public switched telephone network.
 80. An asymmetricnetwork communication system comprising a host server and a plurality ofremote clients, an information distribution facility that transfersinformation signals between said host server and remote clients, adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients topermit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speedinformation signals from said host server over a shared medium of saiddistribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol,at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients totransmit return information signals to said host server via saiddistribution facility at a lower rate than the rate of informationsignals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with anupstream channel protocol, and a network manager for providing transfersof information signals between said host server and remote clients, forpolling of representations of remote clients on said high-speeddownstream channel to detect requests for upstream channel allocation byrespective ones of said remote clients, for allocating an upstreamchannel to respective ones of said remote clients for the transmissionof information signals to said host server via said lower rate upstreamchannel, and for effectuating receipt of information from said remoteclients via said lower rate upstream channel.
 81. An asymmetric networkcommunication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remoteclients, an information distribution facility that transfers informationsignals between said host server and remote clients, a downstreamchannel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permitsaid plurality of remote clients to receive high speed informationsignals from said host server over a shared medium of said distributionfacility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least oneupstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit returninformation signals to said host server via said distribution facilityat a lower speed than the speed of information signals transmitted oversaid downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol,and a network manager for effectuating transfers of information signalsbetween said host server and said remote clients via said distributionfacility, for polling representations of remote clients on saidhigh-speed downstream channel to detect requests for upstream channelallocation by respective ones of said remote clients, for verifyingwhether a respective one of said remote clients is authorized, forallocating an upstream channel to a respective one of said remoteclients to transmit information signals to said host server via saidlower speed upstream channel, and for effectuating receipt ofinformation signals from said remote clients via said lower speedupstream channel.
 82. The asymmetric network communication system asrecited in claim 80, wherein respective ones of said remote clients areassigned an operating state in accordance with the status of operationthereof and said network manager polls said remote clients in accordancewith a prioritized polling scheme such that certain groups of remoteclients are polled at selected higher frequencies depending on theassigned state of remote clients within said group.
 83. The asymmetricnetwork communication system as recited in claim 81, wherein respectiveones of said remote clients are assigned an operating state inaccordance with the status of operation thereof and said network managerpolls said remote clients in accordance with a prioritized pollingscheme such that certain groups of remote clients are polled at selectedhigher rates depending on the assigned state of remote clients withinsaid group.
 84. The asymmetric network communication system as recitedin claim 81, wherein said network manager allocates a specific upstreamdata channel frequency on which one of said remote clients is totransmit on said lower speed upstream channel.
 85. The asymmetricnetwork communication system as recited in claim 84, wherein saidnetwork manager allocates the specific upstream channel frequencyaccording to one of quality of an available upstream channel, type ofservice required by one of said remote clients, operatingcharacteristics of one of said remote clients and configurationrestrictions of one of said remote clients.
 86. In an asymmetric networkcommunication system comprising a host server and a plurality of remoteclients, an information distribution facility that transfers informationsignals between said host server and remote clients, a downstreamchannel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients to permitsaid plurality of remote clients to receive high speed informationsignals from said host server over a shared medium of said distributionfacility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol, at least oneupstream channel for enabling said remote clients to transmit returninformation signals to said host server via said distribution facilityat a lower speed than the speed of information signals transmitted oversaid downstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol,and a network manager for providing transfers of information betweensaid host server and remote clients, for sending a polling signal onsaid high-speed downstream channel to detect representations ofrespective ones of said remote clients indicative of a request for achannel allocation on said upstream channel, for allocating an upstreamchannel for respective ones of said remote clients to transmitinformation signals to said host server via said lower speed upstreamchannel, and for effectuating receipt of information from said remoteclients via said lower speed upstream channel, the combination of aremote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remoteclients for interfacing said asymmetric communication network, saidremote link adapter including a controller for receiving informationsignals over said downstream channel in accordance with said downstreamchannel protocol and for transmitting information signals over saidupstream channel in accordance with said upstream channel protocol. 87.In an asymmetric network communication system comprising a host serverand a plurality of remote clients, an information distribution facilitythat transfers information signals between said host server and remoteclients, a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remoteclients to permit said plurality of remote clients to receive high speedinformation signals from said host server over a shared medium of saiddistribution facility in accordance with a downstream channel protocol,at least one upstream channel for enabling said remote clients totransmit return information signals to said host server via saiddistribution facility at a lower speed than the speed of informationsignals transmitted over said downstream channel in accordance with anupstream channel protocol, and a network manager for providing transfersof information between said host server and remote clients via saiddistribution facility, for polling representations of remote clients onsaid high-speed downstream channel to detect requests for upstreamchannel allocation by respective ones of said remote clients, forverifying whether said remote client is authorized, for allocating anupstream channel to respective ones of said remote clients to transmitinformation signals to said host server via said lower speed upstreamchannel, and for effectuating receipt of information signals from saidremote clients via said lower speed upstream channel, the combination ofa remote link adapter associated with respective ones of said remoteclients for interfacing said asymmetric communication network, saidremote link adapter including a controller for receiving informationsignals over said downstream channel in accordance with said downstreamchannel protocol and for transmitting information signals over saidupstream channel in accordance with said upstream channel protocol. 88.An asymmetric network communication system including a host server, aplurality of remote clients and a data distribution facility fordistributing data to said remote clients, said communication systemcomprising:a downstream channel that is shared by said plurality ofremote clients to receive downstream data from said server over a sharedmedium at a high rate, a plurality of upstream channels that enable saidremote clients to transmit upstream data to said server at a lower rate,and a network manager for effectuating transfers of data between saidhost server and remote clients, for effecting polling to detectrepresentations of respective ones of said remote clients on saiddownstream channel wherein said representations are indicative ofrequests for allocation of an upstream channel, for allocating one ofsaid plurality of upstream channels to one of said remote clients forthe transmission of data to said host server via said upstream channel,and for effectuating receipt of data from said one of said remoteclients via said upstream channel.
 89. The network communication systemas recited in claim 88 wherein one of said upstream channels and saiddownstream channel reside in different communication media.
 90. Thenetwork communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein said sharedmedium comprises a hybrid fiber coaxial cable and said remote clientsphysically connect in parallel to said hybrid fiber coaxial cable toreceive simultaneously broadcasted data whereby to facilitate efficientsharing of resources at said distribution facility by said remoteclients.
 91. The network communication system as recited in claim 90wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network thatroutes data transmitted by said at least one remote client to saidinformation distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data tosaid server.
 92. The network communication system as recited in claim 91wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network thatroutes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directly tosaid server.
 93. The network communication system as recited in claim 90wherein one of said upstream channels comprises an independent lowerspeed channel transmitted over said hybrid fiber coaxial cable, and saidupstream router receives said data transmitted by said at least oneremote client over said independent upstream channel and routes saiddata to said server.
 94. The network communication system as recited inclaim 88 wherein said distribution facility comprises a cellularbroadcast facility, said shared medium comprises radio frequencybroadcasts from said cellular broadcast facility, and said remoteclients each comprise radio frequency receivers for substantiallysimultaneously receiving data transmitted over said shared medium so asto provide sharing of resources at said distribution facility by saidremote clients.
 95. The network communication system as recited in claim94 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a lower speedcellular return channel routed through said distribution facility. 96.The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein saiddistribution facility comprises a direct broadcast satellite, saidshared medium comprises electromagnetic transmissions from said directsatellite broadcast and said remote clients include a receiver forsubstantially simultaneously receiving data from said broadcast so as toprovide sharing of resources among said remote clients.
 97. The networkcommunication system as recited in claim 96 wherein one of said upstreamchannels comprises a PSTN network that routes data transmitted by saidremote clients directly to said server.
 98. The network communicationsystem as recited in claim 88 wherein each of said upstream anddownstream channels resides in a communication medium selected from oneof a transmission of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a radiotransmitter station, a television transmitter station, a hybrid fibercoaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a directbroadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network. 99.The network communication system as recited in claim 88 wherein saiddistribution facility comprises a television broadcast facility, saidshared medium comprises radio frequency broadcasts from said televisionbroadcast facility, and said remote clients include radio frequencyreceivers for substantially simultaneously receiving data transmittedover said shared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources locatedat said distribution facility.
 100. The network communication system asrecited in claim 99 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises aPSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to saidinformation distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data tosaid server.
 101. The network communication system as recited in claim100 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN network thatroutes data transmitted by said remote clients directly to said server.102. The network communication system as recited in claim 88 whereinsaid distribution facility comprises a broadband broadcast facility,said shared medium comprises electromagnetic broadcasts from saidbroadband broadcast facility, and said remote clients include receiversfor substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over saidshared medium whereby to provide sharing of resources located at saiddistribution facility.
 103. The network communication system as recitedin claim 102 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said at least one remote clientto said information distribution facility which, in turn, routes saiddata to said server.
 104. The network communication system as recited inclaim 102 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTN networkthat routes data transmitted by said at least one remote client directlyto said server.
 105. The network communication system as recited inclaim 91 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation ofsaid upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective ones of said remote clients communicating withsaid shared medium.
 106. The network communication system as recited inclaim 88 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation ofsaid upstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 107. The network communication system as recited in claim 93wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channelwhereby to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidthaccording to demand by respective remote clients communicating with saidshared medium.
 108. The network communication system as recited in claim94 wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 109. The network communication system as recited in claim 98wherein said upstream channel protocol enables operation of saidupstream channel at multiple speeds and said hybrid access systemselectably controls speed of data transfers on said upstream channel soas to provide more effective utilization of channel bandwidth accordingto demand by respective remote clients communicating with said sharedmedium.
 110. The network communication system as recited in claim 88wherein said distribution facility comprises a CATV broadcast facility,said shared medium comprises broadband broadcasts from said CATVbroadcast facility, and said remote clients include broadband receiversfor substantially simultaneously receiving data transmitted over saidshared medium so as to provide sharing of resources located at saiddistribution facility.
 111. The network communication system as recitedin claim 110 wherein one of said upstream channels comprises a PSTNnetwork that routes data transmitted by said remote clients to saidinformation distribution facility which, in turn, routes said data tosaid server.
 112. The network communication system as recited in claim110 wherein said at least one independent upstream channel comprises aPSTN network that routes data transmitted by said remote clientsdirectly to said server.
 113. A two-way asymmetric communication systemfor effecting communications with at least a single remote dataprocessor, said asymmetric communication system comprising:a networkincluding:a shared medium including a downstream channel, and anupstream channel which is independent of said downstream channel, saidupstream channel conveying information at a lower speed that saiddownstream channel; a downstream router in communication with saidnetwork to send information over said shared medium; an upstream routerin communication with said network to receive lower speed returninformation over said upstream channel; a common network managementsystem operating on a unitary control platform and in communication withsaid downstream router and said upstream router to effect transmissionof information over said shared medium in an interactive session inaccordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and to enabletransfer of return information over said network in accordance with alower speed upstream channel protocol; a broadcast unit connected tosaid downstream router and in communication with said downstreamchannel, said broadcast unit being capable of providingpoint-to-multipoint broadcast links on said network over said sharedmedium; and remote interface equipment associated with said singleremote data processor to enable said single remote data processor tocommunicate over said upstream channel and said downstream channel. 114.The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 113,wherein said common network management system communicates with saidupstream router and downstream router over a common physical link forcontrolling transmission of information by said upstream router and saiddownstream router.
 115. The two way asymmetric communication systemaccording to claim 114 further including a host server and said commonnetwork management system enables interactive two way communicationbetween said host server and said at least one remote data processor.116. The two way asymmetric communication system according to claim 115wherein said independent upstream channel includes at least one of atelephone network, direct broadcast satellite network, a cable TVnetwork and a wireless transmission path.
 117. The two way asymmetriccommunication system according to claim 113 wherein said network furtherincludes a switch.
 118. The two way asymmetric communication systemaccording to claim 113, wherein said broadcast unit includes at leastone of a group consisting of a cable TV headend, a wireless TVtransmitter, a satellite transmitter and a cell site.
 119. A two-wayasymmetric communication system for providing interactive communicationbetween a server and a plurality of remote clients, said systemincluding an information distribution network for distributinginformation signals to said plurality of remote clients, said systemcomprising:a shared downstream medium that is shared by said pluralityof remote clients to receive high-speed data packets from said servervia a downstream channel; an independent upstream channel independent ofsaid downstream channel, to enable at least one of said plurality ofremote clients to convey lower-speed return data packets to said server;and a network management system that effects control at a commoncommunication layer of network sessions between said server and said atleast one of said plurality of remote clients of both high-speed datapackets from said server to said plurality of remote clients viabroadcasts over said shared downstream medium in accordance with ahigh-speed downstream channel protocol and lower-speed return datapackets from said at least one of said plurality of remote clients tosaid server over said independent upstream channel in accordance with anupstream channel protocol, said network management system being operatedwith a point-to-multipoint communication path between said server andsaid plurality of remote clients.
 120. The two-way asymmetriccommunication system according to claim 119, wherein:said common networkmanagement system has control of both said high-speed data packets oversaid shared downstream medium and said lower-speed return data packetsover said independent upstream channel at a common physical layer. 121.The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 120, furthercomprising:a downstream router in communication with said shareddownstream medium and responsive to said common network managementsystem to establish a link with said at least one of said plurality ofremote clients over said shared downstream medium; and an upstreamrouter responsive to said common network management system that sendsinformation signals over said independent upstream channel to establisha link with said at least one of said plurality of remote clients; saidplurality of remote clients including respective remote interfaces. 122.The asymmetric communication system as recited in claim 121, whereinsaid independent upstream channel lies in a communication medium that isdifferent from said shared downstream medium.
 123. The asymmetriccommunication system as recited in claim 119, wherein:said shareddownstream medium comprises a hybrid fiber coaxial cable; and saidplurality of remote clients connect physically in parallel to a cableportion of said hybrid fiber coaxial cable to receive simultaneouslybroadcast data packets to facilitate efficient sharing of resources at adistribution facility by said plurality of remote clients.
 124. Theasymmetric communication system as recited in claim 121, wherein saidindependent upstream channel comprises a PSTN network that routes datapackets transmitted by said at least one of said plurality of remoteclients to said information distribution network which, in turn, routessaid data packets to said server.
 125. The asymmetric communicationsystem as recited in claim 121, wherein each of said independentupstream channel and said downstream medium lies in a communicationmedium selected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, aradio transmission medium, a television transmission medium, a hybridfiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wireless network, a directbroadcast satellite communication network and a telephone network. 126.A network communication system including a host, a plurality of remoteusers and an information distribution network including a shared mediumfor distributing information signals to said plurality of remote users,said network communication system comprising:a downstream channel sharedby said plurality of remote users to receive information signalstransmitted from said host over said shared medium at a high speed, atleast one independent upstream channel independent from said downstreamchannel to enable said plurality of remote users to convey informationsignals to said host at a lower speed than said high speed of saiddownstream channel; and an access system to enable a transfer ofinformation signals from said host to said plurality of remote usersover said distribution network via broadcasts over said shared medium inaccordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and to enablea transfer of information signals from said plurality of remote clientsto said host at said lower speed over said at least one independentupstream channel in accordance with an upstream channel protocol, saidaccess system being operable to provide a two-way session between saidhost and at least one of said plurality of remote users including apoint-to-multipoint path between said host and said plurality of remoteusers, said access system including:an interface in communication withsaid host, a downstream path for conveying high speed information tosaid plurality of remote users over said shared medium, an upstream pathfor conveying return information from said plurality of remote users,and a network management system for managing communications over bothsaid downstream path and said upstream path, respectively, at physicallayers so that said network management system may handle transferreddata irrespective of one of a link layer and network layer protocolemployed by said plurality of remote users and said host.
 127. Thenetwork communication system as recited in claim 126, wherein saidsystem includes asymmetric media wherein a medium for each of saiddownstream channel and said at least one independent upstream channel isselected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, atelevision transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, anover-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellitecommunication network and a telephone network.
 128. The networkcommunication system as recited in claim 127, wherein:said upstreamchannel protocol effects operation of said at least one independentupstream channel at multiple speeds; and said access system selectablyeffects control of speeds of data transfers on said at least oneindependent upstream channel.
 129. A client-server network including ahost server, a plurality of remote clients and a distribution facilityfor distributing data packets to said plurality of remote clients, saidclient-server network comprising:at least one downstream channel that isshared by said plurality of remote clients, for receiving high speeddata packets from said host server over a shared medium; at least oneindependent upstream channel that carries lower speed return datapackets from said plurality of remote clients to said host server; anetwork management that effects within a common control unit transfersof data packets from said host server to said plurality of remoteclients via broadcasts from said distribution facility over said sharedmedium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, andthat effects within said common control unit transfers of lower speedreturn data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said hostserver over an independent upstream channel located on a physical mediumthat is different from said shared medium of said downstream channel,said independent upstream channel being assigned in accordance with anupstream channel protocol and channel control information transmitted onsaid downstream channel, said common network management system beingoperable to provide two-way communication between said host server andsaid plurality of remote clients; an interface that enablescommunications between said common network management system and saidhost server; downstream routing equipment that conveys high speed datapackets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium; andupstream routing equipment that receives return data packets from saidplurality of remote clients and that effects conveyance of said returndata packets to said host server.
 130. The client-server network asrecited in claim 129, wherein said common network management systemeffects control of assignment of upstream channels to said plurality ofremote clients in accordance with scheduling information including atleast one of a channel request signal, a channel availability signal, apriority status signal and a class of service signal.
 131. Theclient-server network as recited in claim 129, wherein said networkincludes asymmetric media where a communication medium for each of saiddownstream channel and said at least one independent upstream channel isselected from one of a CATV distribution network, a cell site, atelevision transmission medium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, anover-the-air wireless network, a direct broadcast satellitecommunication network and a telephone network.
 132. The client-servernetwork as recited in claim 129 wherein:said upstream channel protocolenables operation of said at least one independent upstream channel atmultiple speeds; and said common network management system selectablyeffects control of speeds of data transfers on said at least oneindependent upstream channel.
 133. A client-server system including asplit-channel asymmetric network for enabling multiple users to shareinformation, said client-server system comprising:a host server; aplurality of remote users; a distribution network for distributinginformation signals to said plurality of remote users; a downstreamchannel that is shared by said plurality of remote users to enable saidplurality of remote users to receive high speed data packets from saidhost server over a shared medium; at least one upstream channel that isindependent of said downstream channel, to enable said plurality ofremote users to convey return data packets to said host server at alower speed than a data packet rate transmitted in said downstreamchannel; an access system that directly controls, at a network layer orlower, both a transfer of data packets from said host server to saidplurality of remote users via broadcasts over said shared medium inaccordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and a transferof lower speed return data packets from said plurality of remote usersto said host server over said at least one upstream channel inaccordance with an upstream channel protocol, said access system beingoperable to provide two-way communication between said host server andsaid plurality of remote users in an interactive session whereintransmission of upstream information is controlled, in part, by controlinformation transmitted over said downstream channel, said access systemcomprising:a host interface that enables communication with said hostserver, a downstream path to route high speed data packets to saidplurality of remote users over said shared medium, an upstream path forconveying return data packets from said plurality of remote users, and acommon network management system operating on a unitary control platformfor managing information flow over said downstream path and saidupstream path, respectively, at a selected one of a common network layerand link layer.
 134. In combination with a multi-user computer systemincluding at least one host computer and a plurality of remote clients,the improvement comprising:a packet distribution network incommunication with said at least one host computer for distributing datapackets from said at least one host computer to said plurality of remoteclients; a downstream channel residing in a medium shared by saidplurality of remote clients to enable said plurality of remote clientsto receive high speed data packets from said at least one host computer;at least one upstream channel that is independent of said downstreamchannel, to enable said plurality of remote clients to convey returndata packets to said at least one host computer at a speed that is lowerthan a data packet rate transmitted in said downstream channel; adownstream switching path to enable transmission of high speed datapackets to said plurality of remote clients over said shared medium; anupstream switching path for conveying return data packets from saidplurality of remote clients; and a common network management systemoperating on a unitary control platform without internal link layer ornetwork layer control paths, located at a headend facility of aninformation distribution network to effect conveyance of data packetsfrom said at least one host computer to said plurality of remote clientsvia broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance with a high speeddownstream channel protocol, and conveyance of lower speed return datapackets from said plurality of remote clients to said at least one hostcomputer over said at least one independent upstream channel inaccordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common networkmanagement system being operable with a two-way network that includes apoint-to-multipoint communication path between said at least one hostcomputer and said plurality of remote clients.
 135. In combination witha CATV broadcast transmission facility including a shared mediumdownstream channel that is shared by a plurality of remote clients toreceive high speed data packets from a host server, the improvementcomprising:respective remote RF interfaces associated with saidplurality of remote clients in communication with said shared medium andtuned to receive high speed transfers of data packets for conveyance tosaid plurality of remote clients; at least one independent upstreamchannel that carries lower speed return data packets to said host serverfrom a respective at least one of said plurality of remote clients; acommon network management system operating on a unitary control platformwithout internal link layer or network layer control paths, located at acentral headend facility of a data distribution network to effectconveyance of data packets from said host server to said plurality ofremote clients via broadcasts over said shared medium in accordance witha high speed downstream channel protocol, and conveyance of lower speedreturn data packets from said plurality of remote clients to said hostserver over said at least one independent upstream channel in accordancewith an upstream channel protocol, said common network management systembeing operable to provide two-way communication with a network thatincludes a point-to-multipoint communication path between said hostserver and said plurality of remote clients in a session whereintransmission of upstream information is at least one of monitored andcontrolled, at least in part, by said common network management system,said common network management system including:an interface thatcommunicates with said host server, a downstream routing path to enabletransmission of high speed data packets to said plurality of remoteclients over said shared medium at one of a network layer and a linklayer, and an upstream routing path for conveying return data packetsfrom said plurality of remote clients at one of a network layer and alink layer.
 136. The improvement as recited in claim 135, whereincommunication media for each of said shared medium downstream channeland said at least one independent upstream channel is selected from oneof a CATV distribution network, a cell site, a television transmissionmedium, a hybrid fiber coaxial cable network, an over-the-air wirelessnetwork, a direct broadcast satellite communication network and atelephone network.
 137. The improvement as recited in claim 136,wherein:said upstream channel protocol enables operation of said atleast one independent upstream channel at multiple speeds; and saidcommon network management system selectably effects control of speeds ofdata transfers on said at least one independent upstream channel. 138.In combination with a satellite broadcast facility, the improvementcomprising:a host computer; a plurality of remote clients; aninformation distribution facility in communication with said hostcomputer, to distribute information from said host computer to saidplurality of remote clients; a shared broadcast medium including adownstream channel that is shared by said plurality of remote clients toreceive high speed data packets from said host computer; at least oneupstream channel that is independent of said downstream channel, toenable said plurality of remote clients to convey return data packets tosaid host computer at a lower speed than an information transfer rate ofsaid downstream channel; and a common network management system thateffects a transfer of information from said host computer to saidplurality of remote clients via broadcasts over said shared broadcastmedium in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol and atransfer of lower speed return information from said plurality of remoteclients over said at least one upstream channel in accordance with anupstream channel protocol, said common network management system beingoperable in a two-way network that includes a point-to-multipointcommunication path between said host computer and said plurality ofremote clients.
 139. A packet delivery system for use in an asymmetricnetwork to provide two-way communication, said packet delivery systemincluding a host server and at least one remote client, said at leastone remote client including an RF interface operating in accordance witha high speed downstream protocol and a low speed interface operating inaccordance with a lower speed upstream protocol, said packet deliverysystem comprising:a shared medium including a downstream channel that isshared by said at least one remote client, to receive high speed datapackets from said host server; at least one independent upstream channelthat enables said at least one remote client to convey lower speedreturn data packets to said host server; an access system to effectcontrol of data packets from said host server to said at least oneremote client over said shared medium in accordance with said high speeddownstream protocol, and to monitor communication over said at least oneindependent upstream channel thereby to schedule upstream communicationin accordance with a predefined rule, said access system including:aninterface that enables communication with said host server, a downstreamrouting device to send high speed data packets to said at least oneremote client over said shared medium, an upstream routing device toreceive return data packets from said at least one remote client, and acommon network management system located at a headend facility of a datadistribution network for managing said downstream router and saidupstream router.
 140. The packet delivery system as recited in claim139, wherein said access system effects control of assignment of said atleast one independent upstream channel to said at least one remoteclient to assign one of a shared channel and a dedicated channel to saidat least one remote client.
 141. The packet delivery system as recitedin claim 140, wherein said access system effects switching of channelassignments of said at least one remote client between shared anddedicated upstream channels.
 142. A method of two-way asymmetriccommunication comprising:providing a shared downstream channel;providing an independent upstream channel independent of said shareddownstream channel; transmitting information over said shared downstreamchannel in accordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol;receiving lower speed return information over said independent upstreamchannel in accordance with a lower speed upstream channel protocol, saidlower speed upstream channel carrying information at a lower speed thanthat of said shared downstream channel; effecting management of bothsaid transmission of information over said shared downstream channel andsaid reception of said lower speed return information over saidindependent upstream channel by a network management system operating ona unitary control platform that effects control of said upstream anddownstream transmissions at a network layer or lower; providingpoint-to-multipoint broadcast links over said shared downstream channel;and enabling said single remote data processor to communicate over saidindependent upstream channel and said shared downstream channel.
 143. Amethod of two-way asymmetric communication with a plurality of remoteclients in an information distribution network including a server, saidmethod comprising:sharing a downstream medium among said plurality ofremote clients; receiving high-speed information signals from saidserver by at least one of said plurality of remote clients via saiddownstream medium; conveying lower-speed return data packets to saidserver from said at least one of said plurality of remote clients overan independent upstream channel independent of said downstream medium;and controlling, in a common network management system, both aconveyance of said high-speed data packets from said server to said atleast one of said plurality of remote clients via broadcasts over saidshared downstream medium in accordance with a high-speed downstreamchannel protocol, and a conveyance of lower-speed return data packetsfrom said at least one of said plurality of remote clients to saidserver over said independent upstream channel in accordance with anupstream channel protocol; and whereby a point-to-multipointcommunication path is provided between said server and said plurality ofremote clients.
 144. A method of managing the conveyance of upstream anddownstream data packets in an asymmetric communication system,comprising:distributing data packets from a host computer to a pluralityof remote clients; enabling said plurality of remote clients to receivehigh speed data packets from said host computer over a shared downstreamchannel shared by said plurality of remote clients; enabling saidplurality of remote clients to convey return data packets to said hostcomputer over an upstream channel that is independent of said shareddownstream channel at a speed that is lower than a data packet ratetransmitted in said downstream channel; managing, in a common networkmanagement unit operating on a unitary control platform, both theconveyance of data packets from said host computer to said plurality ofremote clients via broadcasts over said shared downstream channel inaccordance with a high speed downstream channel protocol, and theconveyance of lower speed return data packets from said plurality ofremote clients to said host computer over said upstream channel inaccordance with an upstream channel protocol, said common networkmanagement system being operable with a two-way network that includes apoint-to-multipoint communication path between said host computer andsaid plurality of remote clients; enabling a downstream routing deviceat a network layer or lower to transmit high speed data packets to saidplurality of remote clients over said shared downstream channel; andenabling an upstream routing device at a network layer or lower toconvey return data packets from said plurality of remote clients.